2013: The year of the running back in the Seattle area

In wrapping up the football season this year, I noticed an interesting trend for next season: There are a lot of really good running backs returning next year. I mean, a whole lot.

Below is a list of some of the top running backs and their stats from this season. It’s not a comprehensive list; there are a lot of running backs and chances are good I missed some.

But it will give you an idea of who to watch next season and just how good a year it could be for running backs in the area.

Austin Joyner, Marysville-Pilchuck, sophomore

– Rushed for more than 2,000 yards and averaged more than 14 yards per carry. Picked up an offer from UW after the season.

Budda Baker, Bellevue, junior

– Didn’t receive many carries this season as a junior, but made the most of them when he did get one: Had an 89-yard TD in one game and a 53-yard TD in another. He might be the best running back in the area.

Jake Gellatly, Issasquah, junior

– Led all of KingCo with more than 1,600 yards this season and 20 touchdowns. He was a true workhorse for Issaquah this season, carrying the ball more than 200 times.

Drew Lewis, Eastlake, junior

– Rushed for 809 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging more than six yards per carry during the regular season. He picked up an offer from Pitt after the season, the same school where his older brother, Ryan, goes.

Conner Baumann, Newport, junior

– Rushed for more than 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging more than 13 yards per carry. A powerful running back, he had 236 yards and two touchdowns in an upset win against Skyview in the round-of-32.

Devante Downs, Mountlake Terrace, junior

– Rushed for 1,300 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior. A good combination of size and speed, Downs already has a UW offer.

Teague James, Graham-Kapowsin, junior

– He started the year a bit under the radar, but broke out in a big way: He totaled more than 1,300 yards and 24 touchdowns this season.

Myles Gaskin, O’Dea, sophomore

– A first-team running back as just a sophomore, the 5-10, 180-pound Gaskin rushed for 1,154 yards on 136 carries and had 14 touchdowns.

Jack Flor, O’Dea, junior

– A fullback, Flor handled most of the inside running for O’Dea this year. In one game against Seattle Prep, he rushed for 160 yards on nine carries, including 137 yards before halftime, while scoring three touchdowns.

Henry Jarvis, Eastside Catholic, junior

– A first-team All Metro Mountain Division selection, Jarvis has rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He had one of the year’s best runs in breaking at least six tackles for an 80-yard touchdown run.

Brandon Wellington, Eastside Catholic, freshman

– Only a freshman, the 6-foot-0, 180-pound Wellington has rushed for 562 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 7.6 yards per carry this year.

Austin Otis, Lake Stevens, junior

– He finished second in WesCo 4A North with 1,007 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns.

Austin Hall, Kamiak, junior

– Led WesCo 4A South by rushing for 1,637 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior.

Chico McClather, Federal Way, sophomore

– One of the most versatile players in the area, McClatcher averaged more than 150 all-purpose yards and had 14 touchdown this season, with nearly all of those scores coming on long, exciting plays. He has a UW offer already.